Chargers wallop Wolves

Thursday

Dec 20, 2012 at 10:00 AM

By Ed Patinoed.patino@hillsdale.netHILLSDALE — The Hillsdale College men's basketball team entered the holiday break in style.With everyone on the roster seeing playing time and four players scoring in double figures, the Chargers stormed to an 84-50 victory over the University of Michigan-Dearborn Wolves in a non-conference game Wednesday at Jesse Philips Arena.Hillsdale (8-2) capped the 2012 portion of its schedule with its second straight victory. Just as they did in Monday's victory over Ferris State, the Chargers eclipsed the 80 points. Hillsdale jumped to an early lead and never trailed in the contest. The Chargers then shot an blistering 78 percent from the floor in the second half to put away U-M Dearborn (3-11).The 34-point victory was Hillsdale's biggest of the season to date, and its 23 assists was also a season high. For the game, the Chargers held a 38-23 rebounding edge over the Wolves.The Chargers are off until Jan. 3 when it returns to Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play at Wayne State.Hillsdale scored the game's first 11 points, capped by a Nick Washburn layup . Meanwhile, the Chargers held U-M Dearborn scoreless until Jeff Fick made a layup just over seven minutes into the game. A minute later, Jamiel Strickland hit a three-pointer, bringing the Wolves to within 13-7, but that would be as close as the game would get.Anthony Manno took over from there, coming off the bench and hitting five three-pointers in the final 11:10 of the half for Hillsdale. His first three missiles came midway through the half, giving the Chargers a 22-9 lead. Manno connected from behind the arc again with four minutes left, then his fifth triple of the game staked Hillsdale to a 30-18 halftime lead.The five three-pointers and 15 points were a career high for Manno.Khalil Beidoun opened the second half with a layup for the Wolves, but Tim Dezelski hit a three-pointer and layup to put Hillsdale up by 15. Two minutes later, Washburn threw down a dunk, giving the Chargers a 43-22 lead. Washburn then scored three layups and another dunk before Tony Nelson's missile midway through the half put Hillsdale up 60-30.Hillsdale coach John Tharp cleared his bench down the stretch, and the Chargers didn't miss a beat. A three by Jason Pretzer and a dunk from Lucas Grose extended the lead to 78-40, then Pretzer slammed another dunk in the final minute to close out the game.Washburn had 18 points and seven rebounds to lead the Chargers. Dezelski added 11 points and six rebounds, while Grose also finished with 11 points. Pretzer scored nine points and Ryan Choiniere handed out five assists. Cody Smith had four assists on the night.Julius Porter scored 19 points and recorded three assists to lead U-M Dearborn. Beidoun had nine points, while Strickland added eight points. Fick scored seven points and grabbed seven rebounds.The Jan. 3 game is the only schedule meeting between the Chargers and Wayne State. Hillsdale swept a two-game season series from the Warriors last year.